HAE Festival 2018

Over 100 teenagers travelled to Harper Adams University to gain an insight into life at the university by taking part in the annual two-day residential; the Harper Adams Experience (HAE).

The attendees (nicknamed HAElets) were able to engage in both recreational and course activities with others that shared similar interests. Staff and ambassadors were always on hand to answer any questions that the students may have had.

Students arrived early on a sunny Sunday morning, and once bags had been dropped in rooms and a small briefing had taken place, the activities began. An icebreaker of human bingo allowed the HAElets to introduce themselves to each other.

After lunch, the student ambassadors took groups for a tour around the campus. Following the tour, the participants were let loose on many different workshops that were overseen by our ambassador team; these included a giant inflatable assault course, bungee run and a digger challenge.

As the first day turned to night the Students’ Union opened for a festival themed night of fun. A live band kicked off proceedings, followed by a DJ. There was also fun to be had away from the bright lights and music of the bar with a bucking bronco and other carnival stands. The evening was brilliant and thoroughly enjoyed by the HAE attendees, student ambassadors and staff alike.

Morning brought the opportunity for those that were willing to get up early to go and witness the Harper dairy herd being milked in the 40 point rotation dairy unit.

Once breakfast was complete and the rest of the group had awoken, the second day of activities started. The attendees were able to choose from a long list of course related activities to take part it. These ranged from learning how hydraulic systems work in machinery, to massage therapy for animals, to everybody’s favourite of chocolate tasting!

After these sessions had finished, everyone piled into the Weston Lecture Theatre to hear student ambassadors sharing moments from their time at Harper and answering a variety of questions from the HAElets. The final question saw the panel being asked to describe their time at Harper in three words with a large proportion of the students summarising their time at Harper as; fun, rewarding and describing the university as one giant family.

The event ended with fuel for the road for the attendees and their families of tea and cake. Ambassadors and staff were available to answer any final questions linked to life at university. The residential was once again a massive success with both HAElets and staff having loads of fun and being suitably tired after a couple of busy days.

Written by Henry Grimwade, Marketing and Communications Assistant.